Defense Minister Umerov was also present at the meeting.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in the presence of Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, heard a report by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov. He reported this on Telegram. (Heard, – ed.) the report of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov. “Everything that military intelligence sees about the intentions of Russian troops until the end of this year, and our response to them,” Zelensky wrote.
The other day, American political scientist and journalist Jason Smart reported that during a visit to the United States, Zelensky received a signal from partners that attempts to dismiss Budanov “will have negative consequences for cooperation between the intelligence communities of the United States and Ukraine.” The message appeared against the backdrop of active rumors that the OP is considering the possibility of dismissing the head of the GUR Budanov and Defense Minister Umerov. Read more in the LB.ua article “What was told to Zelensky about Budanov in the White House?”
It should be noted that today the president also heard reports from Defense Minister Umerov, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, and Chief of the General Staff Anatoly Bargilevich. The president explained that the main topics were: the situation at the front, the need for weapons and equipment, coordination with allies, as well as preparation for the next “Ramstein”.
- Budanov said that Russia considers the war to be in the summer-second half of 2025 or early 2026.
- In early August, the head of the GUR predicted a decline in the offensive actions of Russian troops at the front in one and a half to two months. According to him, the practice of a ten-year war shows that “either side cannot sustain its offensive potential for more than two months”.